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Can HPV Cause Dry-Looking Skin?

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that is contracted through genital contact. There are different signs and symptoms associated with HPV, but dry skin is not one of them. Only a rare form of HPV, EV-HPV, has been indirectly linked with psoriasis (dry, red skin).

  1. Types

    • According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), there are two main types of HPV--one that can cause genital warts and one that cause cervical cancer and other cancers; however, the CDC reports that in 90 percent of all cases, the body's immune system rids the body of HPV within two years. EV-HPV is not the virus related to cervical cancer and/or genital warts.

    Signs & Symptoms

    • The signs and symptoms of HPV are genital warts, cervical cancer, other HPV-related cancers and RRP--where warts grow in the throat and can block the airway. Many individuals never have any signs or symptoms even though they are carrying the virus.

    HPV & Genital Warts

    • Some individuals with HPV may exhibit genital warts (depending on the type of HPV). Most often, genital warts are raised bumps that have been described as having a cauliflower-like appearance. According to a September 2009 article in the New York Times, psoriasis is a genetic condition and it is triggered by weather, stress, immune deficiency diseases (e.g. AIDS) as well as EV-HPV.

    Expert Insight

    • HPV is the most common sexually-transmitted disease. The CDC states that most sexually active people in the U.S. will have HPV at some point in their lives.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Gardasil is a genital wart vaccine that can be given to both men and women. Cervarix and Gardasil are vaccines to protect women against most cervical cancers; at any rate, women who are sexually active should have routine cervical cancer screenings as well as follow-ups done on any abnormal tests.

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